The funeral Mass for Deacon George A. Tichacek was celebrated April 5 at St. Catherine Laboure Church in Sappington.

Deacon Tichacek, 99, died April 1. A St. Louis native, he married Josephine Grana in 1946. They were married nearly 44 years before her death. Deacon Tichacek was a World War II Army veteran, serving primarily in the Pacific Theater. Prior to retirement, Deacon Tichacek had a career in communications and photography. He owned Tichacek Photography from 1950-84.

Deacon Tichacek was ordained to the Sacred Order of the Diaconate in 1986 by Bishop George Gotwald. He was assigned to St. Catherine Laboure Parish and served there until retiring in 2012. He performed the sacramental functions of a deacon, specifically assisting at Mass, conducting wake services and attending funerals, leading Liturgy of the Word and Communion services when needed, performing baptisms, conducting benedictions and leading Stations of the Cross.

Deacon Tichacek worked extensively in hospital, adult education and service ministries. With his background in photography, he developed yearbooks and composites for multiple southside parishes and schools, including Cardinal Glennon College and Kenrick Seminary. Deacon Tichacek was a member of the Knights of Columbus.

He was a noted blogger and developed the Taste and See program for St. Catherine Laboure. He founded the program in 1994 as a way of encouraging people to talk about faith traditions within the context of a potluck lunch. One participant described it as a way to help family members rediscover history, rituals, activities and foods, honor God and His people.

In addition to Deacon Tichacek’s wife, a son, David, preceded him in death. Survivors include four children, Mary Tichacek, Stephen Tichacek, Peg Tichacek and Nancy Williams; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Burial was in Resurrection Cemetery.